Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/32—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against translation products of oncogenes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
  • C07K16/2809—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against the T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2863—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against receptors for growth factors, growth regulators
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/40—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against enzymes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/30—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency
  • C07K2317/31—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency multispecific
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/60—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/62—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments comprising only variable region components
  • C07K2317/622—Single chain antibody (scFv)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/73—Inducing cell death, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis or inhibition of cell proliferation

Definitions

• This invention is related to the area of cancer therapy. In particular, it relates to treating cancers that express EGFRvIII and agents for doing the same.
• glioblastoma multiforme The most common primary malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), remains uniformly fatal despite surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapyl.
• Immunotherapy promises to induce robust, tumor-specific immune responses that eliminate neoplastic cells with unparalleled specificity without adding additional toxicity to multimodality therapy.
• Substantial evidence supports the role of T-cells in the eradication of cancer.
• the concept of using specific antibodies to re-direct T-cells has been optimized in the form of recombinant bispecific T-cell engaging molecules, or bispecific T-cell engaging molecules, that consist of a tumor-targeting single-chain antibody connected to a single-chain antibody directed against a Tcell activation ligand such as CD3.
• bispecific T cell engaging molecules can tether T-cells to tumor cells, which results in a highly localized and specific activation of T-cells with concomitant tumor cell lysis.
• human trials using a CD19 ⁇ CD3 bispecific T cell engaging molecule confirmed the potency of these constructs by tumor regression observed in 7/7 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at a dose of only 0.06 mg/m2 with clearance of tumor from the blood, bone marrow, and liver4.
• Tumor-specific antigens derived from mutations in somatic genes are less likely to be associated with autoimmunity, but often arise randomly as a result of the genetic instability of tumors and, as such, tend to be patient-specific and incidental to the oncogenic process.
• EGFRvIII is a frequent and consistent tumor specific mutation, central to the neoplastic process, which consists of an in-frame deletion of 801 base pairs from the extracellular domain (ECD) of the EGFR that splits a codon and produces a novel glycine at the fusion junction.
• This mutation encodes a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that enhances neoplastic cell growth and migration9 and confers radiation and chemotherapeutic resistance to tumor cells.
• the EGFRvIII mutation is most frequently seen in patients with GBM, but has been found in a broad array of other common cancers.
• the new glycine inserted at the fusion junction of normally distant parts of the ECD results in a tumor-specific epitope that is not found in any normal tissues.
• the bispecific polypeptide comprises a first human single chain variable region which binds to EGFRvIII.
• the first single chain variable region is in series in amino to carboxy order with a second human single chain variable region.
• the second single chain variable region binds to T cell activation ligand CD3.
• the first single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6 in amino to carboxy order.
• the second single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8 in amino to carboxy order.
• the bispecific polypeptide comprises a first human single chain variable region which binds to EGFRvIII.
• the first single chain variable region is in series in amino to carboxy order with a second human single chain variable region.
• the second single chain variable region binds to T cell activation ligand CD3.
• the first single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6 in amino to carboxy order.
• the second single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8 in amino to carboxy order.
• a particular polynucleotide encoding the bispecific polypeptide is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
• Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating an EGFRvIII-expressing tumor in a patient.
• the bispecific polypeptide is administered to the patient, whereby a cytolytic T cell response to the tumor is induced.
• the bispecific polypeptide comprises a first human single chain variable region which binds to EGFRvIII.
• the first single chain variable region is in series in amino to carboxy order with a second human single chain variable region.
• the second single chain variable region binds to T cell activation ligand CD3.
• the first single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6 in amino to carboxy order.
• the second single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8 in amino to carboxy order.
• Still another aspect of the invention is a method of making the bispecific polypeptide.
• a cell is cultured in a culture medium.
• the cell comprises a polynucleotide encoding the bispecific polypeptide.
• the bispecific polypeptide comprises a first human single chain variable region which binds to EGFRvIII.
• the first single chain variable region is in series in amino to carboxy order with a second human single chain variable region.
• the second single chain variable region binds to T cell activation ligand CD3.
• the first single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6 in amino to carboxy order.
• the second single chain variable region comprises segments encoded by SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8 in amino to carboxy order.
• the bispecific polypeptide is harvested from the cells or from the culture medium.
• the inventors have developed human bispecific T cell engaging molecules which target both the EGFRvIII and T cell activation ligand CD3. They have been found to recruit cytotoxic T cells to a cancer cell expressing EGFRvIII and activate cytotoxic T cells, thereby killing the cancer cell expressing the EGFRvIII molecule.
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecules are selectively reactive with EGFRvIII and T cell activation ligand CD3 displayed on the surface of mammalian cells which are accessible to the antibody from the extracellular milieu.
• human bispecific T cell engaging molecules in which the V L segment precedes the V H segment of the variable region which binds to EGFRvIII.
• fusion proteins that contain a signal peptide.
• polynucleotides that encode the human bispecific T cell engaging molecules may be codon optimized for expression in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.
• Fusion proteins that are human bispecific T cell engaging molecules may or may not contain linker molecules between individual variable domains and between variable regions.
• the linker may be selected from those shown in SEQ ID NO: 9 and 10, or those which have a different number of monomers as shown in SEQ ID NO: 10, ranging from 1-5, 5-10 or 1-10. Other linkers as are known in the art may be used as well.
• a signal sequence can be used at the amino terminal end of the fusion protein to facilitate secretion of the human bispecific T cell engaging molecules from the producing cells in culture. Secretion is advantageous as it avoids the need to break cells to harvest the fusion protein product from the cells. While the signal sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 has been shown to successfully guide secretion of the human bispecific T cell engaging molecules, other signal sequences known in the art may be used as alternatives.
• nucleic acid encoding the human bispecific T cell engaging molecules shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 has been codon optimized for CHO cells, the same human bispecific T cell engaging molecules can be made from other nucleic acids which encode the same amino acids but use different codons. These may be optimized for production in different cell lines or in different animal systems in vivo.
• variable domains may be used to achieve other human bispecific T cell engaging molecules, which may share certain properties but have other beneficial properties that are unique. For example, production may be optimized with one order of domains, whereas avidity or cytotoxicity may be optimized with another order.
• Possible orders of the variable domains include: SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, 8; SEQ ID NO: 8, 7, 6, 5; SEQ ID NO: 6, 5, 7, 8; SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 8, 7; SEQ ID NO: 8, 7, 5, 6; and SEQ ID NO: 6, 5, 8, 7.
• Linkers may be used between any of these segments. Signal sequences may precede N-terminally any of these sequences of domains.
• bispecific antibodies can be constructed and used. These include, without limitation, quadroma-derived F(ab′)2, heterodimeric scFv, heterodimeric Fab, diabodies, tandem diabodies, and tandem scFv molecules. Bispecific antibodies can also be made using trifunctional antibodies, i.e., antibodies that have a third specificity as well as the initial two for EGFRvIII and a T cell activation ligand. The many forms are well known in the art.
• bispecific T cell engaging molecules can be produced in recombinant cells. Any suitable cell type can be used. If the bispecific T cell engaging molecules are secreted, they can be harvested from the culture medium. If they remain intracellular, the cells can be collected and broken under suitable conditions to harvest the bispecific T cell engaging molecules from the appropriate cell fraction. Any convenient cell host can be used for producing the bispecific T cell engaging molecules, including bacteria, yeast, insect cells, plant cells, algal cells, mammalian cells. In one scenario, the bispecific T cell engaging molecules can be produced in stably transfected CHO cells and the supernatant will contain the produced bispecific T cell engaging molecules.
• Tumors which have been found to express the EGFRvIII antigen include brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, breast tumors, and lung tumors. Any of these or other tumors can be targeted if it expresses the mutant antigen.
• EGFRvIII means a mutant form of the epidermal growth factor receptor recognized by MR1 scFv and characterized by an 801 base pair in frame deletion of exons 2 to 7 near the amino terminal. This form of the receptor is known in the art, as exemplified by the Wickstrand et al., Moscatello et al., and Lorimer et al. references cited in the Background. Due to a change in terminology, EGFRvIII was originally termed a Type II mutation in some earlier work in the field, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,290.
• CD3 refers to the protein complex associated with the T cell receptor. Antibodies directed against CD3 are able to generate an activation signal in T lymphocytes. Other T cell activation ligands can be used as well, including without limitation CD28, CD134, CD137, and CD27.
• antibody includes reference to an immunoglobulin molecule immunologically reactive with a particular antigen, and includes both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.
• the term also includes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (e.g., humanized murine antibodies), heteroconjugate antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies) and recombinant single chain Fv fragments (scFv), disulfide stabilized (dsFv) Fv fragments (See, U.S. Ser. No. 08/077,252, incorporated herein by reference), or pFv fragments (See, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/042,350 and 60/048,848, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.).
• antibody also includes antigen binding forms of antibodies (e.g., Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fab, Fv and rIgG (See also, Pierce Catalog and Handbook, 1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.).
• An antibody immunologically reactive with a particular antigen can be generated by recombinant methods such as selection of libraries of recombinant antibodies in phage or similar vectors (See, e.g., Huse, et al., Science 246:1275-1281 (1989); Ward, et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989); and Vaughan, et al., Nature Biotech. 14:309-314 (1996)).
• an immunoglobulin typically has a heavy and light chain.
• Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variable region.
• Light and heavy chain variable regions contain a “framework” region interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called complementarity-determining regions or CDRs.
• the extent of the framework region and CDRs have been defined (see, SEQUENCES OF PROTEINS OF IMMUNOLOGICAL INTEREST, Kabat, E., et al., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (1987); which is incorporated herein by reference).
• the sequences of the framework regions of different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within a species.
• the framework region of an antibody serves to position and align the CDRs in three dimensional space.
• the CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of an antigen.
• the CDRs are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus.
• single chain Fv or “scFv” refers to an antibody in which the heavy chain and the light chain of a traditional two chain antibody have been joined to form one chain.
• a linker peptide is inserted between the two chains to allow for proper folding and creation of an active binding site.
• linker peptide includes reference to a peptide within an antibody binding fragment (e.g., Fv fragment) which serves to indirectly bond the variable heavy chain to the variable light chain.
• the linker may be a series of a single amino acid or an alternating pattern of amino acids, for example.
• contacting includes reference to placement in direct physical association. With regards to this invention, the term refers to antibody-antigen binding.
• the term “bispecific T-cell engaging molecule” refers to a molecule designed to harness a subject's T cells to kill cancer cells by targeting to the tumor cells expressing a desired molecule.
• the desired molecule is human EGFRvIII.
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecules comprises two Fv domains.
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecule comprises a first Fv domain directed to EGFRvIII and a second Fv domain directed to CD3.
• the Fv domains may be scFv domains.
• selectively reactive includes reference to the preferential association of an antibody, in whole or part, with a cell or tissue bearing EGFRvIII or CD3 and not to cells or tissues lacking EGFRvIII or CD3. It is, of course, recognized that a certain degree of non-specific interaction may occur between a molecule and a non-target cell or tissue. Nevertheless, selective reactivity, may be distinguished as mediated through specific recognition of EGFRvIII and CD3. Although selectively reactive antibodies bind antigen, they may do so with low affinity. On the other hand, specific binding results in a much stronger association between the antibody and cells bearing EGFRvIII or CD3 than between the bound antibody and cells lacking EGFRvIII or CD3 or low affinity antibody-antigen binding.
• Specific binding typically results in greater than 2-fold, preferably greater than 5-fold, more preferably greater than 10-fold and most preferably greater than 100-fold increase in amount of bound antibody (per unit time) to a cell or tissue bearing EGFRvIII or CD3 as compared to a cell or tissue lacking EGFRvIII or CD3.
• Specific binding to a protein under such conditions requires an antibody that is selected for its specificity for a particular protein.
• a variety of immunoassay formats are appropriate for selecting antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a protein.
• the antibody will bind to EGFRvIII better than to wild-type EGFR. In some instances an antibody will bind to both.
• the differential binding may be reflected in a stronger binding, or in a faster binding, or in more binding to a fixed amount of antigen with a fixed amount of time.
• the better binding may be by a factor of at least 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10.
• polypeptide As used herein, “polypeptide,” “peptide,” and “protein” are used interchangeably and include reference to a polymer of amino acid residues. The terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residue is an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers. The terms also apply to polymers containing conservative amino acid substitutions such that the protein remains functional.
• amino acid residue or “amino acid residue” or “amino acid” includes reference to an amino acid that is incorporated into a protein, polypeptide, or peptide (collectively “peptide”).
• the amino acid can be a naturally occurring amino acid and, unless otherwise limited, can encompass known analogs of natural amino acids that can function in a similar manner as naturally occurring amino acids.
• disulfide bond or “cysteine-cysteine disulfide bond” refers to a covalent interaction between two cysteines in which the sulfur atoms of the cysteines are oxidized to form a disulfide bond.
• the average bond energy of a disulfide bond is about 60 kcal/mol compared to 1-2 kcal/mol for a hydrogen bond.
• the cysteines which form the disulfide bond are within the framework regions of the single chain antibody and serve to stabilize the conformation of the antibody. Cysteine residues can be introduced, e.g., by site directed mutagenesis, so that stabilizing disulfide bonds can be made within the molecule.
• recombinant includes reference to a protein produced using cells that do not have, in their native state, an endogenous copy of the DNA able to express the protein.
• the cells produce the recombinant protein because they have been genetically altered by the introduction of the appropriate isolated nucleic acid sequence.
• the term also includes reference to a cell, or nucleic acid, or vector, that has been modified by the introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or the alteration of a native nucleic acid to a form not native to that cell, or that the cell is derived from a cell so modified.
• recombinant cells express genes that are not found within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell, express mutants of genes that are found within the native form, or express native genes that are otherwise abnormally expressed, under expressed or not expressed at all.
• nucleic acid or “nucleic acid sequence” includes reference to a deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide polymer in either single- or double-stranded form, and unless otherwise limited, encompasses known analogues of natural nucleotides that hybridize to nucleic acids in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence includes the complementary sequence thereof as well as conservative variants, i.e., nucleic acids present in wobble positions of codons and variants that, when translated into a protein, result in a conservative substitution of an amino acid.
• “encoding” with respect to a specified nucleic acid includes reference to nucleic acids which comprise the information for translation into the specified protein. The information is specified by the use of codons.
• the amino acid sequence is encoded by the nucleic acid using the “universal” genetic code.
• variants of the universal code such as is present in some plant, animal, and fungal mitochondria, the bacterium Mycoplasma capricolum ( Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 82:2306-2309 (1985), or the ciliate Macronucleus, may be used when the nucleic acid is expressed in using the translational machinery of these organisms. Any codon for an amino acid may be substituted for another codon for the same amino acid without changing the encoded protein. Translation efficiency may, however, be modified.
• fused in frame refers to joining two or more nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides so that the joined nucleic acid sequence translates into a single chain protein which comprises the original polypeptide chains.
• “expressed” includes reference to translation of a nucleic acid into a protein. Proteins may be expressed and remain intracellular, become a component of the cell surface membrane or be secreted into the extracellular matrix or medium.
• host cell is meant a cell which can support the replication or expression of the expression vector.
• Host cells may be prokaryotic cells such as E. coli , or eukaryotic cells such as yeast, insect, amphibian, or mammalian cells.
• phage display library refers to a population of bacteriophage, each of which contains a foreign cDNA recombinantly fused in frame to a surface protein.
• the phage displays the foreign protein encoded by the cDNA on its surface. After replication in a bacterial host, typically E. coli , the phage which contain the foreign cDNA of interest are selected by the expression of the foreign protein on the phage surface.
• Sequence identity in the context of two nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences includes reference to the nucleotides (or residues) in the two sequences which are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence over a specified comparison window.
• sequence identity When percentage of sequence identity is used in reference to proteins it is recognized that residue positions which are not identical often differ by conservative amino acid substitutions, where amino acid residues are substituted for other amino acid residues with similar chemical properties (e.g., charge or hydrophobicity) and therefore do not change the functional properties of the molecule. Where sequences differ in conservative substitutions, the percent sequence identity may be adjusted upwards to correct for the conservative nature of the substitution. Means for making this adjustment are well known to those of skill in the art.
• a conservative substitution is given a score between zero and 1.
• the scoring of conservative substitutions is calculated, e.g., according to the algorithm of Meyers & Miller, Computer Applic. Biol. Sci. 4:11-17 (1988), e.g., as implemented in the program PC/GENE (Intelligenetics, Mountain View, Calif., USA).
• An indication that two peptide sequences are substantially similar is that one peptide is immunologically reactive with antibodies raised against the second peptide.
• a peptide is substantially similar to a second peptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by a conservative substitution.
• a “comparison window,” as used herein, includes reference to a segment of about 10-20 residues in which a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned.
• Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well known in the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981); by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970); by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci.
• ⁇ ективное amount or “amount effective to” or “therapeutically effective amount” include reference to a dosage of a therapeutic agent sufficient to produce a desired result, such as inhibiting cell protein synthesis by at least 50%, or killing the cell.
• therapeutic agent includes any number of compounds currently known or later developed to act as anti-neoplastics, anti-inflammatories, cytokines, anti-infectives, enzyme activators or inhibitors, allosteric modifiers, antibiotics or other agents administered to induce a desired therapeutic effect in a patient.
• in vivo includes reference to inside the body of the organism from which the cell was obtained. “Ex vivo” and “in vitro” means outside the body of the organism from which the cell was obtained.
• nucleic acids encoding a bispecific T cell engaging molecule of the present disclosure are isolated and cloned, one may express the desired protein in a recombinantly engineered cell such as bacteria, plant, yeast, insect, and mammalian cells. It is expected that those of skill in the art are knowledgeable in the numerous expression systems available for expression of proteins including E. coli , other bacterial hosts, yeast, and various higher eucaryotic cells such as the COS, CHO, HeLa and myeloma cell lines. No attempt to describe in detail the various methods known for the expression of proteins in prokaryotes or eukaryotes will be made.
• the expression of natural or synthetic nucleic acids encoding the isolated proteins of the invention will typically be achieved by operably linking the DNA or cDNA to a promoter (which is either constitutive or inducible), followed by incorporation into an expression cassette.
• the cassettes can be suitable for replication and integration in either prokaryotes or eukaryotes.
• Typical expression cassettes contain transcription and translation terminators, initiation sequences, and promoters useful for regulation of the expression of the DNA encoding the protein.
• it is desirable to construct expression cassettes which contain, at the minimum, a strong promoter to direct transcription, a ribosome binding site for translational initiation, and a transcription/translation terminator.
• coli this includes a promoter such as the T7, trp, lac, or lambda promoters, a ribosome binding site and preferably a transcription termination signal.
• the control sequences can include a promoter and preferably an enhancer derived from immunoglobulin genes, SV40, cytomegalovirus, and a polyadenylation sequence, and may include splice donor and acceptor sequences.
• the cassettes of the invention can be transferred into the chosen host cell by well-known methods such as calcium chloride transformation or electroporation for E. coli and calcium phosphate treatment, electroporation or lipofection for mammalian cells.
• Cells transformed by the cassettes can be selected by resistance to antibiotics conferred by genes contained in the cassettes, such as the amp, gpt, neo and hyg genes. It is also contemplated that the DNA can be delivered to a recipient patient, for example, on nanoparticles or other DNA delivery system, and that the patient may produce her own bispecific T-cell engaging molecules in vivo.
• modifications can be made to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present disclosure (i.e., anti-EGFRvIII or anti-CD3) without diminishing its biological activity. Some modifications may be made to facilitate the cloning, expression, or incorporation of the targeting molecule into a fusion protein. Such modifications are well known to those of skill in the art and include, for example, a methionine added at the amino terminus to provide an initiation site, or additional amino acids (e.g., poly His) placed on either terminus to create conveniently located restriction sites or termination codons or purification sequences.
• malignant cell or “malignancy” refers to tumors or tumor cells that are invasive and/or able to undergo metastasis, i.e., a cancerous cell.
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecules of the present disclosure can also be constructed in whole or in part using standard peptide synthesis.
• Solid phase synthesis of the polypeptides of the present invention of less than about 50 amino acids in length may be accomplished by attaching the C-terminal amino acid of the sequence to an insoluble support followed by sequential addition of the remaining amino acids in the sequence. Techniques for solid phase synthesis are described by Barany & Merrifield, THE PEPTIDES: ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS, BIOLOGY. VOL. 2: SPECIAL METHODS IN PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS, PART A. pp. 3-284; Merrifield, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
• Proteins of greater length may be synthesized by condensation of the amino and carboxyl termini of shorter fragments. Methods of forming peptide bonds by activation of a carboxyl terminal end (e.g., by the use of the coupling reagent N,N′-dicycylohexylcarbodiimide) are known to those of skill.
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecules can also be used to carry other diagnostic or therapeutic compounds to cells expressing EGFRvIII on their surface.
• a bispecific T cell engaging molecule may be attached directly or indirectly, e.g., via a linker, to a drug so that it will be delivered directly to cells bearing EGFRvIII.
• Therapeutic agents include such compounds as nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, amino acids or derivatives, glycoproteins, radioisotopes, lipids, carbohydrates, or recombinant viruses.
• Nucleic acid therapeutic and diagnostic moieties include antisense nucleic acids, derivatized oligonucleotides for covalent cross-linking with single or duplex DNA, and triplex forming oligonucleotides.
• the molecule linked to the bispecific T cell engaging molecule may be an encapsulation system, such as a liposome or micelle that contains a therapeutic composition such as a drug, a nucleic acid (e.g. an antisense nucleic acid), or another therapeutic moiety that is preferably shielded from direct exposure to the circulatory system.
• a therapeutic composition such as a drug, a nucleic acid (e.g. an antisense nucleic acid), or another therapeutic moiety that is preferably shielded from direct exposure to the circulatory system.
• Means of preparing liposomes attached to antibodies are well known to those of skill in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,735; and Connor, et al., Pharm. Ther. 28:341-365 (1985).
• the bispecific T cell engaging molecules of this disclosure are particularly useful for parenteral administration, such as intravenous administration or administration into a body cavity or lumen of an organ.
• parenteral administration such as intravenous administration or administration into a body cavity or lumen of an organ.
• ovarian malignancies may be treated by intravenous administration or by localized delivery to the tissue surrounding the tumor.
• the molecules may be delivered directly to the brain, for example by injection or the molecules can be administered intravenously and then cross the blood brain barrier.
• compositions for administration will commonly comprise a solution of the bispecific T cell engaging molecules dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier preferably an aqueous carrier.
• aqueous carriers can be used, e.g., buffered saline and the like. These solutions are sterile and generally free of undesirable matter.
• These compositions may be sterilized by conventional, well known sterilization techniques.
• the compositions may contain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required to approximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, toxicity adjusting agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium lactate and the like.
• concentration of fusion protein in these formulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like in accordance with the particular mode of administration selected and the patient's needs.
• a typical pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for intravenous administration would be about 0.1 to 10 mg per patient per day. Dosages from 0.1 up to about 100 mg per patient per day may be used, particularly if the drug is administered to a secluded site and not into the circulatory or lymph system, such as into a body cavity or into a lumen of an organ. Actual methods for preparing administrable compositions will be known or apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in more detail in such publications as REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, 19TH ED., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1995).
• compositions of the present invention can be administered for therapeutic treatments.
• compositions are administered to a patient suffering from a disease, in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially arrest the disease and its complications.
• An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a “therapeutically effective dose.” Amounts effective for this use will depend upon the severity of the disease and the general state of the patient's health. An effective amount of the compound is that which provides either subjective relief of a symptom(s) or an objectively identifiable improvement as noted by the clinician or other qualified observer.
• compositions are administered depending on the dosage and frequency as required and tolerated by the patient.
• the composition should provide a sufficient quantity of the proteins of this invention to effectively treat the patient.
• the dosage is administered once but may be applied periodically until either a therapeutic result is achieved or until side effects warrant discontinuation of therapy.
• the dose is sufficient to treat or ameliorate symptoms or signs of disease without producing unacceptable toxicity to the patient.
• Controlled release parenteral formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure can be made as implants, oily injections, or as particulate systems.
• Particulate systems include microspheres, microparticles, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanospheres, and nanoparticles.
• Microcapsules contain the therapeutic protein as a central core. In microspheres the therapeutic is dispersed throughout the particle.
• Particles, microspheres, and microcapsules smaller than about 1 ⁇ m are generally referred to as nanoparticles, nanospheres, and nanocapsules, respectively.
• Capillaries have a diameter of approximately 5 ⁇ m so that only nanoparticles are administered intravenously.
• Microparticles are typically around 100 ⁇ m in diameter and are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. See, e.g., Kreuter, J., COLLOIDAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, J. Kreuter, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., pp. 219-342 (1994); and Tice & Tabibi, TREATISE ON CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY, A. Kydonieus, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, N.Y., pp. 315-339 (1992) both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Polymers can be used for ion-controlled release of pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.
• Various degradable and nondegradable polymeric matrices for use in controlled drug delivery are known in the art (Langer, R., Accounts Chem. Res. 26:537-542 (1993)).
• the block copolymer, polaxamer 407 exists as a viscous yet mobile liquid at low temperatures but forms a semisolid gel at body temperature. It has shown to be an effective vehicle for formulation and sustained delivery of recombinant interleukin-2 and urease (Johnston, et al., Pharm. Res. 9:425-434 (1992); and Pec, et al., J. Parent. Sci. Tech.
• hydroxyapatite has been used as a microcarrier for controlled release of proteins (Ijntema, et al., Int. J. Pharm. 112:215-224 (1994)).
• liposomes are used for controlled release as well as drug targeting of the lipid-capsulated drug (Betageri, et at., LIPOSOME DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, Pa. (1993)). Numerous additional systems for controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
• bispecific T cell engaging molecules of the present invention are included a variety of disease conditions caused by specific human cells that may be eliminated by the toxic action of the fusion protein.
• One preferred application for the bispecific T cell engaging molecules of the invention is the treatment of malignant cells expressing EGFRvIII.
• malignant cells include astrocytomas, glioblastomas, melanoma and the like.
• mammalian cells includes reference to cells derived from mammals including humans, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chimpanzees, or macaques. The cells may be cultured in vivo or in vitro.
• MR1-1XaCD3 which consists of MR1-1, the murine anti-human EGFRvIII single-chain Fv, and aCD3, the murine anti-human CD3 single-chain Fv.
• MR1-1XaCD3 was expressed in and purified from bacteria BL21 (DE3), and the activity of this double function molecule was confirmed by FACS showing its specific binding to EGFRvIII-expressing cell lines, as well as human T cells.
• the cytotoxicity of MR1-1XaCD3 on EGFRvIII-expressing GBM D54MG.EGFRvIII cell lines was measured in vitro by standard chromium release assay.
• MR1-1XaCD3 The efficacy of MR1-1XaCD3 was evaluated in NOD/SCID gamma mice where human EGFRvIII-expressing cell lines were implanted.
• Our results showed that the MR1-1xaCD3 construct is highly cytotoxic and antigen-specific, with an 8-fold increase in specific lysis for D54MG.EGFRvIII over the wild-type control.
• tumor growth was inhibited at a dose dependent manner. While total inhibition was achieved at the 100 mcg/mouse/day, low dose might work effectively upon optimization.
• our experiments showed that a human EGFRvIII-specific T-cell engaging molecules, MR1-1XaCD3, is effective on EGFRvIII-expressing tumor.
• a murine MAb scFv MR1-1, specific for EGFRvIII, has been demonstrated to be a suitable vehicle for GBM treatment in the format of recombinant immunotoxins, which is now in a clinical trial at our institution (BB-IND-12,589).
• BB-IND-12,589 the format of recombinant immunotoxins
• the innate properties of murine-derived antibodies might induce neutralizing antibodies that limit their wider application. Therefore, fully human MAbs are more desirable for the construction of recombinant bispecific T cell engaging molecules for clinical trials.
• the MR1-1 bispecific T cell engaging molecule binds to EGFRvIII specifically and engages T-cells concomitantly through binding to CD3.
• EGFRvIII binding capacity and specificity was confirmed by using NR6M (EGFRvIII) and NR6W (EGFRwt) cell lines and a GBM cell line transfected with EGFRvIII (U87MG. ⁇ EGFR).
• binding to CD3 was confirmed by staining human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Jurkat cells, showing the co-binding of either anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 with bispecific T cell engaging molecules on the same T-cell subpopulation from human PBMC or Jurkat cells.
• PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• Jurkat cells showing the co-binding of either anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 with bispecific T cell engaging molecules on the same T-cell subpopulation from human PBMC or Jurkat cells.
• human scFvs to generate bispecific T cell
• MR1-1 bispecific T cell engaging molecule The efficacy of MR1-1 bispecific T cell engaging molecule was evaluated in NSG mice.
• U87 MG-EGFRIII cells (70%-80% confluence) were harvested with 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA. Cells were washed 2 ⁇ with sterile PBS. PBLs were harvested as the non-adherent portion from healthy donor PBMC leukaphereses after a 1 h incubation in AIM-V 2% HABS.
• Three ⁇ 105 U87MG-EGFRvIII cells were mixed with 3 ⁇ 105 human PBLs (E:T of 1:1) and injected s.c.
• EBV-transformed B cells provide only a transient reservoir of multi-clonal anti-EGFRvIII antibodies due to the high instability of viral incorporation into the human genome.
• EBV-transformed PBMCs will be fused with hetermyeloma cell line HMMA2.5 by using a CytoPulse Hybrimune Electrofusion System (Cytopulse).
• Single cell clones will be screened by HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine) selection and confirmed by ELISA of supernatant against recombinant EGFRvIII ECD, or by flow cytometry against EGFRvIII expression cells lines and a cocktail of B-cell markers.
• HAT hyperxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine
• a phage scFv display library expressing human immunoglobulin genes that can be screened on EGFRvIII ECD, and affinity-maturation will be done when needed, as previously described.
• Another approach will be to bypass the screening step by using high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to mine antibody variable region (V)-gene repertoires from plasma cells as described 19.
• VH and VL CDRs of the selected EGFRvIII-specific MAb-expressing hybridomas will be amplified by using isotype-specific primers, and scFv will be constructed in which the scFv protein has been tagged at the carboxy terminus with the hexahistidine sequences for purification and detection. Expression, production, and characterization of scFv will be carried out as described by using a metal affinity column. Binding of scFv will be confirmed by flow cytometry on cells expressing EGFRvIII. At least one fully human anti-EGFRvIII MAb will be isolated and its scFv is expected to have an affinity higher than MR1-1 (1.5 nM).
• the human scFv phagemid library (21), obtained from Los Alamos National Laboratory, has very high size (7.1 ⁇ 1013 pfu/mL) and diversity (3 ⁇ 10 11 ).
• CD3 Biotinylated target antigen
• the bead+Ag/scFv complex is washed to remove nonspecific or low-affinity binding phage.
• the bead+Ag/scFv complex is treated with acid (0.1M HCl) to recover all scFvs that bind to the target antigen.
• acid 0.1M HCl
• the bead+Ag/scFv complex will be incubated with the corresponding mouse OKT3 IgG for competition/elution of the binding scFv antibodies.
• the selection pressure will be increased through each round for 3 rounds.
• T-cell activation function of 7 the human version OKT3 of anti-CD3 scFv by carrying out (a) T-lymphocyte proliferation assays, (b) cytokine release assays, and (c) detection of the expression of early T-cell activation marker by FACS as described (22).
• mice Prior to beginning efficacy experiments, however, a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of each candidate bispecific T cell engaging molecule will be established in these mice.
• MTD maximum tolerated dose
• Individual cohorts of 40 animals each will be administered a candidate molecule, with doses between groups increased by one half log 10 from 0.001 to 1 ⁇ g until an MTD is established.
• mice On the basis of prior work, mice will be treated intravenously (i.v.) with daily bispecific T cell engaging molecule doses for 5 days. Therapy at the MTD will start after approximately one-third of the median survival time has elapsed according to our prior experience with these tumors.
• Treatment will consist of the i.v. administration of the bispecific T cell engaging molecule construct at predetermined doses.
• Fully Human BiTE Design We have generated cDNA encoding a fully human EGFRvIII-specific BiTE designated 139 ⁇ 28F11.
• the mAbs 139 US 2010/0111979 A1
• 28F11 U.S. Pat. No. 7,728,114 B2
• 28F11 has been described as the fully human analog for the murine OKT3 clone, and was selected in this approach for its ability to bind CD3 and induce T cell activation through this receptor similarly to OKT3.
• Cytotoxicity of the 139 ⁇ 28F11 construct will be measured by standard chromium-release assay using unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) as effector cells and human GBM cell lines U87MG and U87MG. ⁇ EGFR as target cells.
• PBLs peripheral blood lymphocytes
• the xenograft system we used to obtain our preliminary data has the distinct advantage of evaluating drug candidates for efficacy in an animal system using human tumor tissue, with the potential to directly translate the therapeutic molecule of interest into clinical studies.
• a major drawback of this model is the lack of an endogenous immune system, which drastically impedes our ability to appropriately evaluate safety and toxicity of our molecule, as well as perform numerous mechanistic studies that may only be appropriately performed in syngeneic hosts.
• other T cell activating antibodies have historically met with unforeseen toxicity when translated in early clinical trials, at least in part due to the lack of appropriate immunocompetent rodent models possessing surface molecules of equivalent binding affinities and function to those found in humans (25).
• mice have been previously described to have ⁇ 3 copies of the human CD3 transgene integrated chromosomally at unknown locations (26).
• tg ⁇ 600 ⁇ mice possess near-normal numbers of peripheral T cells that express both human and murine CD3.
• the tg ⁇ 600 ⁇ mouse strain has been successfully used to test the function of anti-human CD3 immunotoxins in preclinical models of T cell depletion and graft survival (27).
• human bispecific T cell engaging molecules included a signal sequence and a V L -V H order for the EGFRvIII targeting portion of the molecule. It also contained linker molecules between each variable domain. We have found a molecule with this order to be more effective. We did not include a polyhistidine tag in the human bispecific T cell engaging molecule construct, which had been previously included to facilitate protein purification.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Oncology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
• Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
• Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
• Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Related Parent Applications (1)

Related Child Applications (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=52280577

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (9)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (18)

• 2014
  • 2014-07-09 ES ES14823231T patent/ES2718399T3/es active Active
  • 2014-07-09 WO PCT/US2014/046003 patent/WO2015006482A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-07-09 US US14/903,659 patent/US10053514B2/en active Active
  • 2014-07-09 TR TR2019/04121T patent/TR201904121T4/tr unknown
  • 2014-07-09 EP EP14823231.7A patent/EP3019532B1/de active Active
  • 2014-07-09 JP JP2016525458A patent/JP6242484B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-07-09 AU AU2014287244A patent/AU2014287244B2/en active Active
  • 2014-07-09 CA CA2917919A patent/CA2917919C/en active Active
  • 2014-07-09 PL PL14823231T patent/PL3019532T3/pl unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-08-20 US US16/105,425 patent/US20180362659A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (11)

Non-Patent Citations (21)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events